Asymptomatic double aortic arch in an adult

A 52-year-old male with a history of aortic ectasia was referred to a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. The frontal scout image showed a right aortic arch with slight leftward displacement of the trachea (figure 1).A CTangiography of the aorta demonstrated a double aortic arch (DAA) with a right dominant component and a smaller, but patent, left arch encircling the trachea and esophagus (figure 2). A right-sided descending aorta was observed, as well as subclavian and carotid arteries arising from their respective arches (figures 3A,B). While the esophagus was severely compressed by the complete aortic ring, the patient did not complain of dysphagia or respiratory symptoms.A 52-year-old male with a history of aortic ectasia was referred to a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. The frontal scout image showed a right aortic arch with slight leftward displacement of the trachea (figure 1).A CTangiography of the aorta demonstrated a double aortic arch (DAA) with a right dominant component and a smaller, but patent, left arch encircling the trachea and esophagus (figure 2). A right-sided descending aorta was observed, as well as subclavian and carotid arteries arising from their respective arches (figures 3A,B). While the esophagus was severely compressed by the complete aortic ring, the patient did not complain of dysphagia or respiratory symptoms